ZAGREB, May 14 (Hina) - The president of the Social Democrats (SDP), PM Ivica Racan, declined to speak about Wednesday's meeting of the ruling coalition leaders, one of whom said on condition of anonymity the partners were unable to
reconcile their views of the government's new presentation strategy.
ZAGREB, May 14 (Hina) - The president of the Social Democrats (SDP),
PM Ivica Racan, declined to speak about Wednesday's meeting of the
ruling coalition leaders, one of whom said on condition of
anonymity the partners were unable to reconcile their views of the
government's new presentation strategy. #L#
One of the coalition leaders said the meeting wrapped even though
there had been no agreement on the strategy, which the ministers had
discussed last Saturday.
He said the atmosphere at the afternoon meeting had been charged
because of different interpretations of conclusions the government
adopted on Saturday.
"I will not recount (today's) talks," Racan said when asked if the
talks had addressed the Croatian Peasant Party's dissatisfaction
with the government's new presentation strategy.
"For me, what had to be done regarding the government was done on
Saturday. For me, the story is over," said the PM.
Saying it was pointless, he refused to comment on accusations that
the new strategy in effect constituted the promotion of him and his
SDP.
Racan said that as long as he remained prime minister he would do
everything to keep the government focused on completing its
difficult task, and that he would not give up on this.
He said that parties' criticism would not help the government, and
that while he was prime minister he would insist on the cabinet and
its ministers concentrating on the government's tasks.
"If I will not be able to ensure that, I know what I must do," said
Racan, adding he personally stood behind the conclusions adopted on
Saturday.
Given that he recently mentioned mid-November as a tentative date
for the next parliamentary election, Racan was asked if the date had
been mentioned at today's meeting.
"If things continue like this, we won't be able to do our job before
the desired date, and my job is seeing that this doesn't happen. If
the government cannot do its job well by will of the parties, I know
what I must do."
(hina) ha